Hail damage? What to do if your home or car is damaged by wind or hail

With high winds, large hail and maybe some tornadoes expected to span across the state this spring, it's important to be prepared for damage to your personal property.

Oklahoma is one of the most vulnerable states when it comes to hail damage, according to insurance industry broker Insurify.

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions by vehicle and home owners after hail and wind damage, from the Oklahoma Insurance Department website:

Is hail damage covered by car insurance? Should I claim hail damage on my car?

Your vehicle's liability insurance alone will not cover hail damage, nor will a collision policy. Vehicle owners with comprehensive coverage may, however, be eligible for help with repairs to the interior, exterior and glass of their automobiles.

If you notice damage to your car after a hailstorm, report the claim to your insurer as soon as possible. Your insurer can walk you through the steps you’ll need to take to get an estimate and get your car repaired.

If you need help with your claim, contact the Insurance Department at 800-522-0071.

Is my home covered for wind and hail damage?

Typically, hail and wind damage is covered by a standard homeowners' insurance policy. However, the policy may have limitations. Check with your provider to see if you have higher deductible for hail or if there are exceptions for cosmetic damage to structures. Some areas may even have separate hail-specific deductibles, or exclusions because of the frequency of this kind of claim.

The Insurance Department recommends filing a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible after a storm occurs.

If a claim takes an unreasonable amount of time, the Insurance Department recommends property owners contact the claims adjuster's supervisor to escalate the issue. If the problem is still not resolved, a formal complaint against the company can be filed with the Insurance Department.

If you don't own your home, a renters' insurance policy will typically cover your belongings inside the dwelling in the case of damage caused by a weather-related event including hail and wind, according to StateFarm.com and Allstate.com.

The State of Oklahoma is currently asking residents and business owners to report the damage or loss of property at damage.ok.gov. The website is designed as a survey to collect information to provide state and local authorities a clearer picture of where and to what extent damage has occurred.

How do I choose a contractor? Avoid construction scams?

When dealing with damage after a storm, the Oklahoma Attorney General's office advises consumers to get multiple estimates in writing from local, well-established companies.

Insurance Department spokeswoman Liz Heigle previously told The Oklahoman that homeowners should be careful of those contractors who seem to appear on consumers' doorsteps overnight.

"Do not sign any forms from door-to-door roofing companies. Call a contractor you know or trust to inspect your roof," she said. "Companies offering to pay your deductible to get your business may cut corners on repairs or use inferior materials to offset the deductibles."

No contractor should ever expect payment up front, Heigle added. Instead payment should be held until after the job has been completed to your standards.

More: In a state known for storm damage, roofers are left uninspected. Find out why

If approached by a contractor that seems to be operating a fraudulent business, try to research the company through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.

By far the most important thing you can do to prevent being scammed or hiring a disreputable contractor is to simply make sure they're registered in the state of Oklahoma. Registered contractors can be searched by name at the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board's website. If the roofer claims to be certified by a manufacturer or trade association, verify that as well.

Ultimately, if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam, you can file a complaint with the AG's office consumer protection division by calling 405-521-3921 and asking to speak with a consumer representative.

If you live within Oklahoma City limits and suspect a hired contractor is not following the construction code, you can call Oklahoma City's Action Center to register the complaint and call out a building inspector. The Action Center can be reached at 405-297-2535.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Severe weather in Oklahoma: What to do if you have hail damage